Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: May 6, 2003
Contact: Robert J. Marshall Ph.D. 222-1017

Health Department Reports Second Suspect Case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Providence, RI—The RI Department of Health (HEALTH) today announced a suspect case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in a RI resident. The individual, an adult female, became ill with a mild cough and fever following recent travel through the airport in one of the countries affected by SARS. She received medical attention, was placed in "home isolation" for the duration of illness and an additional ten-day period after resolution of symptoms and is expected to recover fully. Home isolation involves confinement at home and strict adherence to infection control practices in the household setting to minimize exposure to other household contacts. Due to patient confidentiality, the individual’s name, age, town of residence, travel history or other identifying information cannot be released."We consider this a suspect case," said Dr. Patricia A. Nolan, Director of HEALTH, "because this individual had cough, a fever, and had recently traveled through one of the SARS-affected areas. We took clinical specimens for analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), identified close contacts who may have been exposed and placed 5 such individuals on a "fever watch" (daily active monitoring by public health officials.) The fact that this suspect case was promptly reported by the treating physician and that we were able to intervene early to prevent spread of infection demonstrates that our close monitoring of the population is working and that community health care providers are playing a key role."CDC defines a suspect case of SARS as a respiratory illness meeting the following conditions:

• Fever of 100.4 °F or higher; ANDMild or moderate respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) ANDRecent travel to China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan); Hanoi, Viet Nam; Singapore; or Toronto, Canada within 10 days of the onset of symptoms; OR
• Close contact with a person with respiratory illness who is suspected of having SARS. Close contact includes having cared for, lived with, or had direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a person with SARS. (Casual contact is not likely to be a risk.)

Patients with severe respiratory illness, abnormal chest x-ray, or autopsy findings (in addition to the above) may be classified as a "probable" case. Since laboratory tests are new, are being validated and are not widely available they are not yet being used to classify cases.

People experiencing unexplained respiratory illness on or after Feb. 1, 2003 and who meet the above criteria should seek medical attention, preferably by telephone, and should inform their health care provider about their recent travel or possible exposure to SARS. Health care providers should report any suspected case of SARS to Office of Communicable Disease (222-2577). For more information consult: www.HEALTH.ri.gov or www.cdc.gov.